Ben Comer
Executive Editor
Ben brings both biopharma expertise and diverse experience. For the past five and a half years, he was a senior manager in PwC’s Health Research Institute. He developed reports on various policy issues and business trends, particularly in the pharma and medtech sectors, provided research for clients and spoke at industry events. Previously, he was a journalist with Pharmaceutical Executive; Medical Marketing & Media, PRWeek and Direct Marketing News; and Ad-Fax Media. During his college days, he taught English in China.
He lives in Orlando, Fla. Outside of work, Ben enjoys playing guitar, welcomes your recommendations for great novels and avidly pursues hiking, biking and other outdoor activities.
Latest From Ben Comer
Using Data To Improve Rare Disease Diagnosis And Treatment
A deeper understanding of rare diseases – how they differ across geographies and ethnicities, or which genes and biomarkers are most useful targets for new treatments – can help to accelerate and de-risk clinical trials. On the commercial front, patient data and insights could mean the difference between a category leader and a failure.
New PBM Models Aim To Lower Out-Of-Pocket Costs
Start-up pharmacy benefit managers such as Capital Rx and Evio hope to shake up the traditional PBM service model with increased drug price transparency, aggregated real-world data and outcomes-based contracting. The big three PBMs which dominate the market represent a formidable challenge.
Finding Solutions For COVID Vaccine Distribution In Africa’s ‘Last Mile’
More COVID-19 vaccines are beginning to flow into Africa, as coordination between partner organizations and African governmental agencies improves. However, gaps remain in cold chain storage, information flow on the ground is lagging and vaccine hesitancy persists. Also, pandemic-related economic depression in some African countries is jeopardizing procurement and access to vaccines.
Using Social Media To Engage Patients And Serve Clients
HashtagHealth builds social media campaigns informed by sophisticated social listening, a focus on specific patient needs and a measurable return on investment for clients. 2021 Rising Leader Brittany Latson, a HashtagHealth co-founder, has leveraged her unique career experiences – at Disney, CVS, and advertising agencies large and small – to create a business that reflects her own values and priorities.
Outpatient Care, Self-Insured Employers Drive Growth Of Non-Opioid Pain Meds
Opioids are cheap, but the economics of clinical practice, including the shift of care from inside the hospital to outpatient or ambulatory facilities, are creating new opportunities for Pacira BioSciences’ non-opioid treatments for pain. Improved reimbursement and increased usage among anesthesiologists are the biggest revenue drivers for the company’s two marketed products.
How Should Opioid Settlement Dollars Be Spent? It’s Complicated
Treating opioid addiction successfully requires an individualized approach, and a lot of money. Executives at addiction treatment centers discuss existing barriers in the recovery pathway and the need to destigmatize addiction and mental health disorders.